4 Scams to Watch Out for this Black Friday

Black Friday has traditionally been the day that ignites the holiday shopping season, sending masses of crowds through retailers across the nation. Unfortunately, it’s also a day that spawns a season of shopping scams.

Here are four scams to watch out for on Black Friday and throughout the holiday shopping season:

The Amazon Prime service fraud scam

In this ruse, a scammer posing as an Amazon representative, will call to notify a target about an alleged problem with their Prime account. The victim is prompted to download a tool onto their computer or mobile device so the caller can gain remote access for “helping them resolve the problem” at hand. They’ll then be instructed to log onto their banking account so the caller can be compensated for their time. Unfortunately, this will give the scammer free reign over the victim’s accounts.

Phishing emails

In these scams, the victim receives an email allegedly sent by Amazon or another large retailer, asking them to verify or update their account. Or, it might be to supposedly confirm an order. By using the link dropped into the email, the user will give their personal information directly to the scammer.

Delivery issues

Delivery scams generally take the form of a message appearing to be from UPS or another delivery service, informing the victim of a “delivery issue” with an order. They’ll be asked to confirm or update their info using a provided link. Doing so gives the scammer access to their financial information and opens the door to identity theft and more.

Non-delivery scam

This scam involves a purchased gift that never arrives. Unfortunately, the seller disappears after payment, leaving the victim with no way of notifying them about the no-show or for requesting a refund.

Avoid Black Friday scams

Never grant a stranger access to your device and/or accounts.
Don’t open links sent in emails from unverified contacts.
Never share sensitive information with an unknown contact.
Keep the privacy and spam settings on your devices at their strongest settings.
If you have an issue with an ordered item, contact the retailer directly through their site.
When shopping on a new site, look for a physical address, a customer service number and copy that’s free of spelling errors.

Stay safe!

If you receive something suspicious via text, email, or mail, related to your financial accounts please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are unsure.

Your Turn: Have you encountered a scam like this before? Tell us about it on Facebook, LinkedIn,Twitter, or Instagram @FreedomFedCU.

Mortgage Payment Scams

The Mortgage Payment Scam has been around a long time. Mortgages are recorded in the local county courthouse and are therefore public information. It is just as easy for a criminal to get a hold of this information as anyone else, so be mindful of any solicitations you get in the mail regarding your property.

How does it work?

A member may receive a letter from a company other than their known mortgage company indicating that they purchased their Freedom mortgage and future payments are to be make to them, not us. This is the entire SCAM. Freedom does not sell the servicing of our mortgages to anyone. If you receive such a letter, please disregard and report it back to us.

How can I protect myself from this type of scam?

Do:

Be wary of any solicitations demanding immediate payment or warning that you are late on a payment that is not from your known mortgage provider.
Call your mortgage provider to confirm that there have been no changes to your loan servicing agreement.
Report the letter to your credit union.
Use the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s online portal to file a mortgage-related complaint
Report any suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Don’t let those crooks walk free!

Don’t:

Make a payment to anyone who is not your known mortgage lender without verified proof from your original lender.
Share any personal information with an unverified contact. If it’s personal info, make sure to keep it that way!
Click on links or download files from an unfamiliar email address.

Stay safe!

Freedom keeps all loans, including mortgages, in house for the duration of the loan term. Your loans will not be sold to any other management company. If you receive something suspicious via text, email, or mail, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are unsure.

Your Turn: Have you encountered a scam like this before? Tell us about it on Facebook, LinkedIn,Twitter, or Instagram @FreedomFedCU.

All You Need to Know About Home Equity Loans

As you pay down your first mortgage or the value of your home increases, you develop equity. When you have equity built up in your home, borrowing against it with a home equity loan is a great way to tap into the money when you need it most. Many people take out a home equity loan to finance home improvements, pay for their child’s college education, cover unforeseen medical costs, and many other purposes. Here’s all you need to know about home equity loans.

What is a home equity loan?

A home equity loan (HEL), or second mortgage, is a secured loan that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their home. The loan amount is based on the difference between the home’s current market value and the homeowner’s outstanding mortgage balance. Home equity loans tend to be fixed-rate, while the typical alternative, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), generally have variable rates and allow the borrower to withdraw funds as needed.

How is a home equity loan amount determined?

Your primary mortgage is the amount you borrowed when you first purchased your home. Over time, as you pay down the loan and/or the value of your residence increases, so does your equity. You can take a home equity loan out against the equity you have built up in your home, essentially borrowing against your home’s value minus what you still owe on your mortgage. It’s important to note that a home equity loan is a second loan against your home. You’ll still need to pay your primary mortgage along with new payments for your home equity loan.

A lender will typically want you to have at least an 80 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ratio once your home equity loan has been approved.

Interest rates on home equity loans

Home equity loans typically have a fixed interest rate, making budgeting for the payments easy. The lender provides a lump sum payment to the borrower, which is then repaid over the life of the loan, along with a set interest rate. Both the monthly payment and interest rate will remain the same over the entire loan term, which can last anywhere from 5 to 30 years. If the borrower sells the home before the loan term is matured, the loan must then be repaid in full.

A home equity loan can be a great choice for a borrower with a one-time or straightforward cash need such as a home addition, large medical expenses, debt consolidation, or a wedding.

Are there any costs associated with home equity loans?

As with mortgage loans, there are closing costs associated with home equity loans. Closing costs refer to any fees incurred when originating, writing, closing, or recording a loan. These fees include application, appraisal, title search, attorney fees, and points. Some lenders may advertise no-fee home equity loans which require no cash at closing, but these will usually have other associated costs or a higher interest rate which can easily offset any gains.

What are the pros and cons of a home equity loan?

There are several advantages to taking out a home equity loan to fund a home improvement project or a large expense:

The amount of interest paid toward a home equity loan may be tax-deductible.
Interest rates on HELs are generally lower than those provided by credit cards or unsecured loans.

Home equity loans do have some disadvantages as well:

Using your home as collateral for the loan means risking foreclosure and the loss of your home if you default on the loan.
If your home value declines over the term of the loan, you may end up owing more than your home is worth.
You’ll need to pay closing costs and other fees when you take out a home equity loan.
You may qualify to borrow more than you actually need and ultimately end up using more than planned, which of course you’ll need to repay.

The hot real estate market has led to a boom in popularity for home equity loans. However, it’s important to weigh all factors carefully before determining if a home equity loan is best for your specific needs.

Freedom has Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit available. Visit freedomfcu.org/personal/home-loans/ for more details.

Your Turn: Do you have questions or advice about home equity loans? Talk to us on Facebook, LinkedIn,Twitter, or Instagram @FreedomFedCU.